Nokia Unconcealed to Acceptance For Microsoft Deal

• Nokia (NOK1V.HE) does not expect to close the sale of its phone business to Microsoft (MSFT.O) until April as talks with Asian regulators drag on, it said on Monday, fuelling speculation it may have to make technology patent concessions to get the deal done.
•   After selling its loss-making handset business, Nokia – which expected the deal to close this month – will derive more than 90 percent of sales from its telecom network unit, but its patent portfolio is seen as a promising source of future growth.
•   As a phone maker, Nokia has paid rivals for the use of their licences as well as charging for its own.

•  Expected future revenue from patents make up as much as half Nokia’s roughly 20-billion-euro market capitalisation
•  Google (GOOG.O) and Samsung Electronics (005930.KS) have asked Chinese regulators to ensure the 5.4 billion euro deal between Microsoft and Nokia would not lead to higher licensing fees, according to media reports.
•  Nokia shares fell 0.7 percent to 5.24 euros by 1215 GMT.
•   The Finnish firm said both companies remain committed to the deal, and Microsoft said it expects it to close next month.
•  Indian authorities hit the company with a new $414 million tax claim last week, following a Supreme Court decision ordering Nokia to give a $571 million guarantee before transferring its Chennai factory to Microsoft.
•  Nokia and Microsoft have already received approvals from the European Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice.
• Nokia had been expected to name a new chief executive and outline its new strategy after the deal.